I have a 2003 MINI Cooper S with 17" wheels. I am wanting to rotate my tires and am finding it nearly impossible to break away the wheel from the hub. Is there a special trick for this or service tool?
I am afraid if I try to break the wheel free by pounding on the inside of the tire to free the wheel that I may damage the wheel bearings.

-Lamont

 

rust buildup between the wheel,hub and rotor. Apply a small amount of lub and try not to get it on the rotor and pads. Apply a small amount of anti-seize when installing it back.

 

get a big dead blow mallet and beat the bag out of it from inside out .

 

Yup, make sure to hit the inside of the rim and not the tire, if you hit the tire it will act like a spring and send your arm and hammer flying in the oppisite direction.

Gilman.

 

kick it with your foot

works everytime for me

 

Spray some PB Blaster in all four lug holes.

 

This is something I never thought of before! Good idea.

I use a big sledge hammer on the tire itself, and a dead blow and/or rubber mallet on the wheel. Also, if you're using the "widow maker" jack from the roadside kit in your boot, watch that you don't shake the car too much.

And do make sure you get some anti-seize goop to put on the wheel when you go to put it back on.

 

Why is this in the clubman thread?

 

Because i an new to the forum... my mistake... sorry.

 

You can also loosen the lugs, roll the car forward and backwards a foot or so and that should do it. If more drastic measures are required, drive to an empty lot, loosen the lugs, do a couple figure eights and that should do it as well.

...Les

 

I say kick it a little bit....I have had to do that in the past and they usually break loose pretty easily

 

I like your style. Great means to un-stick stuck wheels.

But what does this thread have to do with the R55 Clubman MINI?

 

Thats what I do...didnt work so well one time kicked it, it gave in, I fell...it hurt...

 

Brilliant advice, I encountered the same problem with my 2006 MC this evening. Front wheels; -no problem. Rear wheels seized on something fierce. Ended-up doing the slalom down our street with the lug nuts finger tight, and I could hear them both when they poped loose. In any case, you probably saved me a trip to the dealer. Simple idea, but sure didn't cross my mind until I saw your suggestion. Thanks for posting it.

 

Sorry to continue to drag this out in the R55 section, but how hard is it to get the wheels off these puppies? My first mod may be paint those brake calipers either black or blue. Well, ok, first will be lumbar supports in the cloth seats. THEN I'll wrestle the wheels.

Oh and I'm a girl, auto-handicap when it comes to playing with heavy things. Am an engineer though, so an auto-anti-handicap when it comes to doing things (whether the right way or wrong way, I usually make it work...somehow)

 

Wahoo

Should not be that hard when the car is new as yours is.

But the rims/tires are a little heavy, about 45 to 50 lbs.

 

You've been given some good ideas above, but here's how I do it....

Once the lug nuts are off (you could leave the top one in, just a few threads, to catch the wheel when it comes loose) I turn around with my back to the wheel and kick it with the flat of my foot, not the toe. Sort of like a mule kick - oh and kick the tire, not the wheel, you have more leverage that way. If it doesn't come loose the first time, kick it on the opposite side.....

I used to whack the tire with a 3lb hammer, but I worried that I might get a blister or bubble on the side of the tire doing that, so now I just kick it - works every time.

BTW, when my daughter was in college we spent a summer rebuilding a VW Beetle for her to use at college - I do not consider your being a girl a handicap when it comes to working on cars, more than anything all you need is a little instruction.

Look on this forum for a number of How to's starting with "A Girls Guide to..."

These wheels are hub-centric, which means they use the center of the wheel to locate them - that's where the stiction is, not on the flat surface between the wheel and hub. Clean that area well with a wire brush and apply a light coat of antisieze or even just grease, they may still stick a bit the next time, but using the kick method they'll come right off.

You say you have a handicap when it comes to moving heavy things, and these wheels are a bit on the heavy side. The best way I've found to get them back on is to sit down sort of cross legged and use your knees to help lift the tire into place. You can also buy a stud that threads into one of the holes to act as a guide, that way it's easier to get some of the lug bolts started in their holes. Do them all up evenly and use a torque wrench to tighten the lugs - if you don't have one - look for a Harbor Freight store in your area - they have them as cheap as $20 on sale.

 

Wrong thread but, I found it very helpful in solving the same problem with MY CLUBMAN.

 

One source for said guide tool.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...urPicks&page=2

 

I use an old torsion bar and smack the tire, just try to avoid hitting the rim it can get ugly. the aluminum rim and steel hub do the chemical deal like heads on blocks once it starts breaking down it seizes up. It just needs a BFH.

 

This. Sit your *** on the ground and give the wheel a good pop with your foot. It will break free no problem.

 

Loosen the lugs a full turn. Rock the car sideways by pushing on the body. The wheel will break loose, then raise the car with a Jack and remove the wheel. Do not paint or powder coat the surface between the wheel and the hub. Simply spread some anti-seize paste on this area before installing the wheel.